Apparition Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 (edited) They're 5-2 but probably the most uninspiring 5-2 in recent memory. Entering Sunday they were 25th in overall DVOA (23rd in offense, 20th in defense) and I doubt winning a nail-biter against one of the league's worst teams would improve that number much. They looked non-competitive against PIT and BAL, both of whom they still have to face once more. But they also have been able to win reasonably convincingly against other bad teams (WAS, DAL) and do have the one quality win over IND. Looking at their schedule, they still have favorable matchups against HOU, PHI, JAX, NYG and NYJ, which would get them to 10 wins if they take care of business. A playoff spot seems more likely than not, unless some combination of NWE, MIA, LVR and LAC catches up, which would be tough, given their remaining schedules. So what do we make of this team? Are they on the rise and surviving their growing pains, or are they still a mediocrity benefiting from a cupcake schedule? Edited October 26, 2020 by Starless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladimir L Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 middle of the pack team that may get 10 wins with some luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malfatron Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 I think they are flat out a good team without qualifiers. They will surprise in the playoffs, I predict. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwibrown Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 I think we are an average team becoming a good team. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkippyX Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 They will be a 10 win team because they go 4-0 against the NFC Least. They are dangerous and talented, but clearly the 3rd best team in their own division. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAF-N72EX Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 Admittedly, I haven't paid much attention to them. But from I have seen, they are very sporadic and I wouldn't feel comfortable enough to bet on them against any team in the league right now. No matter how good or bad their opponents are playing at the time. Outside of the Bengals, it's going to be really hard to win in that division with the Ravens and Steelers. Gun to my head, I think they look and will finish around the 8 win mark when it's all said and done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwibrown Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 I'd add last year we were an average team becoming a bad one. We are too reliant on defense on Myles Garrett's best season as a pro. We probably dont lean on Denzel Ward enough. But the talent around those guys are pretty average, the only other standout player is Sheldon Richardson, he is a fringe very good player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter2_1 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 Above average to good, but will struggle to beat anything above them. I trust them against Cincis and Detroits and Jaguars etc, but against Pit, Bal, KC, LAR etc etc - I'm picking against them. It's progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candyman93 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 (edited) They will beat bad teams and decent teams (Indy). Yet lose to great teams. They’re really good at forcing turnovers and running the ball. Edited October 26, 2020 by candyman93 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWil23 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 They have some Pro Bowl talent in two places on defense (Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward) with a rock solid to great OL and 2 All Pro caliber RB. Their youth shows promise in other places (TE, WR) and they have a roller coaster at quarterback. Not everyone can get the benefit of playing in the NFC East. Their pass defense is nothing short of abysmal. They need DB and LB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 A slightly above average team that has gotten 2 wins against a half team in the Bengals, and 2 wins against the NFC LEast. Their other win against the Colts isn't exactly a signature win either. They have a good shot of being a playoff team because outside of 4 games, the rest of them are all pretty winnable. The two tough games they have had they got curb stomped in both 38-6 and 38-7, and it wasn't as close as the score looks in either. Ravens - L Bengals - W Football Team - W Cowboys - W Colts - W Steelers - W Bengals - W Remaining games and my prediction: Raiders - L Texans - W Eagles - W Jaguars - W Titans - L Ravens - L Giants - W Jets - W Steelers - L That would put them at 10-6 with a very good chance at the wild card. However, none of those L's look like games where I think the Browns pull of an upset, and if they dropped 1 or 2 in that three game stretch of Texans/Eagles/Jaguars wouldn't shock me. 8-8 seems to be the floor, and 10-6 with a rd 1 playoff exit seems to be the ceiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candyman93 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 3 minutes ago, THE DUKE said: However, none of those L's look like games where I think the Browns pull of an upset, Even the Raiders...? I must have missed when they became Pittsburgh / Baltimore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 (edited) 1 minute ago, candyman93 said: Even the Raiders...? I must have missed when they became Pittsburgh / Baltimore. I think the Raiders are a better team than the Browns, and will have their oline back in time for that game. They may not lost 38-6, but I think they lose nonetheless. Edited October 26, 2020 by THE DUKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawgX Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 I don't think Browns fans even know what we are right now. I think we're a decent, young team with the potential to become a good team in the near future. Offensively the pieces are there for us to be very, very good. Just need Baker to be more consistent. Defensively, we're a mess and I can't even imagine how bad we'd be without Garrett (and to a lesser extent, Ward). We've had injuries defensively, but even healthy, this defense would still be below average. Like, we're so bad defensively that we may be wise to use the vast majority of our draft capital next year to address the defense. We need a LB or two, another EDGE rusher, a safety, and probably another CB. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT14 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 5 hours ago, Kiwibrown said: I think we are an average team becoming a good team. I'd buy that. I think they'll improve as the season goes on. There's talent there. They're not a net losing team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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